Zale T
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Tell Us How Faith Has Helped You Become Successful?
As many of my readers know, I am a Orthodox Jewish fellow.
But - I teach at the YMCA (Young Mens Christian Association) and the majority of students are Muslims and Hindus. (The YMCA is in an area predominantly East Asian),
I have many friends who are of different faiths - some religious and some totally secular.
In many answers to my Success Questions, people mention their faith as helping them achieve success.
So lets bring it out into the open.
THIS IS NOT THE FORUM TO CONVERT PEOPLE!!!! Please talk about how your faith helps you succeed - not the details.
Here is a short start - (I have run out of characters) Please make your answers longer and much more interesting.
Some of the ways my faith helps is that it forces me to be aware of Time, provides me family time, teaches me to be careful of how I present myself, and provides a supportive community.
---- Background ----
I take these LinkedIn answers to create a regular series "Success Stories" on www.ZaleTabakman.ca to assist people in their journey through life.
If you want to be quoted please answer publicly, if you want to answer and your name not used, answer privately.
To find previous postings select Success Stories from the categories on the right.
I have run out of invitations - so if you would like to connect to me - you need to invite me, even if you have the Best Answers. (Hint - I always say yes)
Zale
Zale@ZaleTabakman.ca
www.linkedin.com/in/zaletabakman
www.ZaleTabakman.ca
Join some of my groups:
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Answers (28)
Lee W
President & CEO at Jewish Federation of Greater Houston
Best Answers in: Non-profit Management (1)
My faith is the anchor of my decision making and my commitment to my people and community are the essence of my approach to my work.
Paddy T
Professional with expertise in Account Managment, Customer Service and Training.
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (4), Staffing and Recruiting (1), Corporate Governance (1), Organizational Development (1), Career Management (1)
There have been several times in my life that I have taken a "leap of faith". Mostly, they have occurred in the professional arena. I'm not sure when I actually realized that my faith in the universe was strong, in that, I really felt as if everything would be "ok". Here's an example. I had an opportunity for the job of a lifetime...with a company that was just what I was looking for. I knew that it was a perfect fit...but I declined the job because the salary was not what I felt I "needed". The minute I declined the job...I regretted it, in my gut. Not many days later, I called the hiring manager and asked to be reconsidered...I was given a second chance! I would make it work...I knew that the universe would provide for me the additional revenue. Suddenly, odd opportunities presented themselves...and I found that I really didn't have anything to worry about.
I'm very grateful for all of the opportunities and second chances that I've gotten. All I can say is...Let go and let the universe take care of things.
Chris L
Oracle DBA at PG&E
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I like what Lee said above. I think "Anchor of my decision making" is a good way to describe my approach. But it also tempers my understanding of what "successful" means. As tempting as it is, I don't equate success with money or possessions--rather, using my gifts and abilities to their best effect. In some cases, that may mean LESS for me.
I try to organize my entire life around my God-given gifts. It seems to me that is what I am called to do.
My faith has helped me to be successful because I am reminded at least 5 times a day that this life is only temporary. My faith is helping me find more rewarding work for now and for the second half of life's journey.
It has helped lead me to exciting new people and challenges in a rather difficult country, where I had never planned to reside. My faith is helping me feel connected to others, new and old acquaintances, where I had previously felt alien. Without faith, any 'success' in life all for naught.
My faith is the reason for my decisions. If I didn't believe what I believe, my decisions would probably be very different. My faith reminds me to keep the bigger picture in mind and so the little things are not so bothersome; they're more like challenges than roadblocks. It also reminds me that I'm not in this alone, and I'm here for a reason. I have purpose and that helps me focus on the essentials and let go of things that don't matter.
My faith was the launching point for my business. It muted the echoes of fear and insecurity. My faith has sustained me when critics and creditors spewed a paralyzing venom. My faith constrains me when I am tempted to abandon integrity for the lure of profit. My faith humbles me in seasons of great prosperity.
Links:
Alyona Y
Head of legal department, Vice-president at "NKA", LLC, Moscow
Best Answers in: Mentoring (1), Staffing and Recruiting (1)
I don't really know, because it's the deep spiritual question and I'm just the ordinary human being. It just happens, but how...it's hard to explain. Faith is something you can't explain by the reason.
All the best.
Brad R
Learning Technologies Specialist, Sr. Software Engineer at Mission Aviation Fellowship
I've worked in IT since 1990, including running my own business for about 10 years. I have been successful at least from a financial perspective. But is that really success?
We just became missionaries with Mission Aviation Fellowship, Learning Technologies. I've taken more than a 50% pay cut, but now the actual work I'll be doing will matter. For a long time, I thought running a successful business was what I really wanted; that was success. But here I am—a missionary—with a wonderful marriage and great kids. God has truly given me the “desires of my heart” ( Psalm 37:4).
It took a lot of faith to make this change. But now I'm pursuing true success.
Links:
Scott B
Author, Artist, Director of Business Development
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (7), Business Development (3), Change Management (3), Career Management (3), Ethics (3), Internationalization and Localization (2), Writing and Editing (2), Mentoring (1), Conference Venues (1), Accounting (1), Risk Management (1), Government Services (1), Internet Marketing (1), Corporate Governance (1), Organizational Development (1), Planning (1), Personal Real Estate (1), Professional Networking (1), Small Business (1)
I put my faith in the people I interact with. I have faith that they are good, honest people with positive intentions. In most cases, this has led to successful engagements and results. In turn, I find those that I have faith in also have faith in me. In some instances, my faith has been taken advantage of and squandered. It has hurt, but it's ok, because it tells me who should not belong in my life.
Pierre K
Pre-Sales Engineering Consultant for IP Performance Ltd
Best Answers in: Computer Networking (2), Facilities Management (1), Purchasing (1), Government Policy (1), Exporting/Importing (1), Organizational Development (1), Information Storage (1), Telecommunications (1), Software Development (1)
I appointed her as my Management Agent.
Never combine business with pleasure. After I became successful, I didn't need Faith anymore, so I fired her (and she divorced me). Cleaned out, I found solace in Hope, but that didn't work out either. After a recent recruitment drive in Bangkok, I now rely on Wing and a prayer, but I'm not holding my breath...
--
Pierre
Faith has become my total life. I have been blessed in so many ways after living a self centered life for over forty five years, now ever day is wonderful because my life is now about serving others. I have started a company to help others and It has be one of the greatest joys of my life. I never lost faith that something good was going to come into my life but I destroyed two marriages because it was all about me. Being sixty 66 and having a son that is eight has brought new meaning to my life plus my wonderful wife of twenty five years has been the support that I needed.You can read about what Gods plans are for me at www.31corp.com - Daryle lambert
Links:
My faith is in God alone. He's not my coach to help me achieve my next goal, my magic genie when things get tough or my line of credit when I'm in need. Success for me goes way beyond salary, career or estate. It is simply to complete His plan for me. He is my ultimate goal - my reason. All of my decisions, life and business, need to reflect that.
Chris L
Store Manager at Radio Shack Corporation
Best Answers in: Facilities Management (1), Business Development (1), Supply Chain Management (1), Product Design (1)
I am in the Sales Business and I find myself constantly having to tell my self "You Can Do IT" It helps to believe that you will succeed.
Jennifer B
Career Transition Consultant, Resume Writer, & Seasoned Recruiter
Best Answers in: Staffing and Recruiting (3), Job Search (2), Resume Writing (1)
Faith has helped me in many ways I think the most important thing has been the gift of perspective.
I often ask myself, 'when I stand on the edge of eternity what will matter?' This has both allowed me to stay calm in extremely stressful situations where others around me were panicked, and also helped me to realize what the true measure of success is in life.
My relationship with God has enabled me to take things in stride, live free from fear/stress, and have the foresight to put others first. This has really helped me make good decisions in my life and career and made me the person others seek out when they are in need.
This attitude has also brought me many promotions and accolades. I didn't have to go out and fight to climb the ladder of success, it came to me as a result of doing the right thing for the right reasons... even if no one notices.
I think having faith is a way of always being positive, so if you have faith that you are going to succeed than you will, because you are believing in yourself and believing that everything is going to be OK, because there is someone up there helping achieve what you want the most.
Also, when you are positive you are clearing your mind of bad thoughts that would only get in your way.
So, have faith, be positive and work hard to succeed!
My faith in God grounds me, gives me a foundation and a framework within which to work, and a set of rules in order to play well with others. It helps me to determine what I will and will not do to be successful. It helps me to extend mercy and grace to others - as I have been extended much, much more grace and mercy than I could ever hope to deserve. It helps me to look for the good in others even when (much) digging is required. It demands that I take my eyes off of myself and focus on others - and in helping others to be successful I then become successful in my own endeavors. My faith in God isn't a guarantee that everything will go right for me and mine, but it does guarantee that whatever He brings me to, He'll bring me through.
My faith helps me on a daily basis because it helps to keep me centered and balanced. There are still bad days, but because I can reach for my faith, I am able to bounce back more quickly.
In the workplace, your faith can help you deal better with difficult personalities and helps you to treat others with kindess. It enables me to see good in others and to forgive transgressions that I might otherwise take personally and as a result, hold a grudge. My faith keeps me from making morally bad decisions and reminds me to be honest in my dealings with people.
Especially, if there is a mistake made on my part. Rather than try to blame it on another or deny it, I am able to pray and then, face up to it. My faith gives me courage. Courage I might otherwise lack. Anyone in the workforce knows that we need courage on most days.
Paul S
Director of Client Accounting for the State of Florida - The Continental Group Inc
Best Answers in: Ethics (4), Organizational Development (3), Purchasing (1), Mentoring (1), Economics (1), Staffing and Recruiting (1), Business Development (1), Business Analytics (1), Corporate Governance (1), Change Management (1), Equity Markets (1), Market Research and Definition (1), Career Management (1), Databases (1), Information Storage (1)
If one follows the Golden Rule, based upon a certain faith, one can always succeed:
"Due unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Paul
Some of what my faith has taught me that has helped my business is:
1. to work hard and not get involved in others' business and gossip.
2. to be wise with my finances and resources
3. to be humble
4. to be honest
5. to believe in myself
I always press on knowing that if I am honest, humble, and wise then I can believe in myself, believe in my service, and people will be helped by what I do. If I stay involved in my area of passion and keep focused on the passion (not the money), then I will be rewarded for what I do.
My faith reminds me that I am working not for people, but for God, so that I must at least try to hold a higher standard in all my work and maintain integrity in not only my business, but in my personal life. I believe my clients, though they may not know where it comes from, see that difference in me and how I conduct business. My faith also sustains me when business is slow and I'm wondering where the funds will come from to pay the bills; though I consider my business as a success, because I'm still in it and surviving, others may not. But somehow He always takes care of my family, sometimes through an unexpected job; sometimes through a whole rash of them; and sometimes through my husband's work. Most of all, my faith gives me peace, because I never have to worry (not that I don't), whatever may happen in my business or life, because His plans for me are for His ultimate good and, therefore, my good, as well. If that means my business will succeed, great! If not, I know He's got other and better plans for me.
I am also blessed to read how faith impacts the lives and businesses of others. I have learned so much from their answers and hope that my life and business reflect my faith as theirs do. Thank you for sharing, and thanks, Zale, for asking!
Jaideep K
GM-Project Management and Quality Assurance (Green Belt Six Sigma)
Best Answers in: Mentoring (1), Compensation and Benefits (1), Staffing and Recruiting (1), Quality Management and Standards (1)
Faith is like a plant that grows where good deeds act as soil, trust god acts as water, trust in mankind acts as air, trust in self acts as sunlight and “I Can” attitude act as the fertilizer.
Ray M
Energy expert, educator, award winning sculptor
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I have faith in me and what I can accomplish. I have faith in what others can accomplish when mentored and supported. I have faith in civilization and the core instinct for survival that pulls us from the brink of disaster and has for millenia. I have faith in great cup of coffee and a nice piece of brisket. I have faith in the future and the evolution of cultures over time.
I have faith in love, family and friends. And most of all I have faith the great equalizer of all........natural laws.
Robert D
interim management, Consultancy Microsoft Dynamics NAV, IT management,freelance, mind mapping, problem diagnosis,
Best Answers in: Enterprise Software (7), Organizational Development (6), Computers and Software (6), Business Development (2), Education and Schools (1), Mentoring (1), Corporate Taxes (1), Economics (1), Project Management (1), Small Business (1), Energy and Development (1)
By providing an equilibrium between professional activities and what really should count in life. It is like a reference framework.
Carolyn V
Education Management Consultant and Business Coach
Best Answers in: Career Management (1), Ethics (1), Using LinkedIn (1)
I received a card a while back:
"When you come to the edge of all the light you've known,
and are about to step off into the darkeness of the unknown,
faith is knowing one of two things will happen;
there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly."
(author unknown at this time)
This pretty much explains how my faith has worked for me all of my life.
There have been times when I get to the edge of my comfort zone, I know I have to move forward, but I am scared; moving forward seems impossible! Then something inside me moves me - I start thinking, saying and doing what I need to do in order to have the best resolution possible. This has resulted in better jobs, friends I can depend on, safe trips, opportunities to serve that I was unaware of in my protected comfort zone.
Faith alone is not the answer. You must pray, fast and be charitable...
Links:
Eileen B
IT Professional, Information Security Quality Assurance Operations & Administration / President, CMU SEI LI SPIN
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Faith is the reason I have the courage and excitement to take the first step everyday.
Eileen
Raj A
For Holistic Business Transformation
Best Answers in: Business Analytics (2), Organizational Development (2), Mergers and Acquisitions (1), Compensation and Benefits (1), Staffing and Recruiting (1), Corporate Governance (1), Change Management (1), Supply Chain Management (1)
Faith to me gives many paradigms to lead my life on. For example, I firmly believe that whatever happens, happens for good. Then you have Geeta telling me to do the karma without expecting any fruits of it - a very powerful thought indeed. There are number of such paradigms.
Paradigms on behaviour - do good to others etc are commonly known and help us to be good people, avoiding bad thoughts.
Faith gives me courage, it gives me support during tough times (I have had my share of them and am sure all of us have).
As they say in Kathopanishada (an ancient Hindu scripture), logic takes you only thus far, but faith will take you to your ultimate destination.
Regards,
Rajendra - rajaphale@yahoo.co.uk
Clare D
Manager, Educational Design Services at National Technical Institute for the Deaf at RIT
As Buddhist, my spiritual path teaches me that all actions have a result. Therefore, I attempt to treat people, both in business and in my personal life, in positive, generous, and kind ways. This seems to be working well for me. My team at work seems very happy, and we enjoy a very positive environment. I am progressing in my career in a way that seems reasonable. I am not saying that I am always able to live up to this standard, but when I do, there seems to be a good result.
